PSD superintendent recognized statewide

PETERSBURG – Petersburg School District Superintendent Dr. Rob Thomason was awarded a Superintendent of the Year Award last week.

Bruce Johnson, Executive Director for the Association of Alaskan Superintendents, presented the award to Thomason during a welcome back school board meeting.

“It is my great honor to announce that your superintendent, Dr. Rob Thomason, is Alaska’s 2014 Superintendent of the year,” Johnson said to an applauding crowd.

Johnson said a selection committee sought nominations from across the state. Nominations could be made by anyone with personal knowledge of an Alaskan superintendent. There were four main criteria used when selecting the award recipient; leadership for learning, communication, professionalism and community involvement.

Comments were also submitted to the committee from staff and colleagues. Johnson read several of them to the audience.

A quote from the teaching and support staff: “I have had the privilege of working with superb superintendents but none of them have demonstrated the broad level of support and mastery of the job as has Dr. Thomason. His leadership is effective and under his employ I feel empowered and secure,” Johnson read.

And from the school board and community: “Dr. Thomason has done a terrific job of turning the Petersburg School District from a despondent place to a vibrant positive and exciting environment where our students are once again being held to the highest standard and doing an amazing job,” Johnson read next.

Thomason thanked his wife, the community and the school for the award.

“This is a ‘we’ thing not a ‘me’ thing,” Thomason said.